Barbaro

[Purr]

Barbaro, the Kentucky Derby winner, fractured his right hind leg in 3 places during the running of the Preakness on Saturday, May 20. Barbaro underwent surgery by Dr. Dean W. Richardson DMV, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Since that time, Barbaro has been under the care of Dr. Richardson and staff at the Center.

Barbaro is responding very well to treatment. Barbaro continues to strengthen his right hind leg, which was in a casy until November 6. Barbaro wears a special shoe on the right hind foot to provide extra support. Barbaro’s left hind foot, which had laminitis, continues to improve, although progress is slow. There is no timetable about Barbaro’s discharge from the Center.

Updates on Barbaro may be found at the Center's website:

http://www.vet.upenn.edu/

[Purr]

Barbaro has had a significant setback over the last 24 hours. Barbaro became acutely more uncomfortable on his left hind foot, which was treated for laminitis. The foot cast was removed and some new separation of the medial, or inside, portion of his hoof was found. This required some additional removal of the damaged tissue last night.

Barbaro is being treated much more aggressively at this time for his discomfort. He is continuing to eat well and is otherwise stable.

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Barbaro was euthanized Monday, January 29, after complications from his breakdown at last year’s Preakness, ending an eight-month ordeal that prompted an outpouring of support across the country. A series of ailments, including laminitis in the left rear hoof and an abscess in the right rear hoof, proved too much for Barbaro to overcome.

Owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson were with Barbaro on Monday morning, making the decision in consultation with chief surgeon Dr. Dean Richardson of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Barbaro was the son of Dynaformer, out of the dam Le Ville Rouge. Barbaro earned $2,302,200 with his six wins in seven starts during his racing career.

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May 6, 2006 - Barbaro win the Kentucky Deby by 6 1/2 legnths, the largest margin of victory since 1946

May 20, 2006 - Barbaro races in the Preakness, and shatters 3 bones in his right hind leg

May 21, 2006 - Barbaro undergoes surgery on his right hind leg

May 27, 2006 - Barbaro is fitted with a special horseshoe to help reduce the risk of laminitis

June 13, 2006 - Barbaro's cast is changed for the first time

July 8, 2006 - Barbaro developes complications to the injured right hind leg, and undergoes surgery

July 13, 2006 - Doctors disclose that Barbaro has laminitis; surgery is performed to remove 80% of his left hind hoof

August 9, 2006 - Barbaro is taken out of the intensive care unit and grazes outside for the first time

October 10, 2006 - Barbaro has a new cast put on his right hind leg; his left hind leg is slowly improving

January 3, 2007 - Barbaro has a new case put on his left hind hoof

January 10, 2007 - Barbaro undergoes surgery to remove damaged tissue from his left hind hoof

January 29, 2007 - Barbaro is euthanized after a series of setbacks

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Gulfstream Park, a Florida race track, is honoring Barbaro by establishing a scholarship in his name. The scholarship will go to high school students planning to study veterinary medicine at the University of Florida.

[squirrel]

Oh my dear God! Poor horse...

[Purr]

That's true. But good will come out of this tragedy. The Veterinary's School made great strides in developing new treatments for the type of injury Barbaro suffered. What's significant is that the fracture Barbaro suffered in his right hind leg during the Preakness had healed. Unfortunately, laminitis, in his left hind leg, and, I believe, begininning in his front legs, was too much for the colt to overcome. Other horses will benefit through what was learned treating Barbaro.